Stored user selectable preferences for supporting data roaming in GPRS networks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supporting data connectivity with a roaming partner when a communication device is outside a service provider's range of coverage is provided. In one aspect, a user can select and store a roaming partner that is capable of data communication. While roaming, the communication device will display the data-roaming partners that are currently available within the communication range of the device and the user can choose one of these data-roaming partners and store the data-roaming partner information in memory. Upon re-entering the region within communication range of that roaming partner, the device can communicate with the roaming partner of choice rather than the roaming partner ordinarily selected by the device as a default.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Wireless communication devices (such as GSM / GPRS devices) connect to networks typically by subscribing to a particular service provider. When the device is in communication range of the service provider's area of coverage, the device will automatically be able to register to the service provider. However, when the device is brought to an area outside of the service provider's area of coverage, the device will automatically switch to a “roaming” mode whereby the device can register with a roaming partner having an agreement with the user's service provider.[0002]While this automatic switching to the pre-set or pre-agreed upon roaming partner provides a practical solution in some situations, such an automatic selection may pose some issues. For example, the user may want to choose a roaming partner that is different from that which the device is registered because the user knows that roaming on a particular partner costs less than the roaming partner automatically sele...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables users to consistently connect to preferred data-roaming partners, reducing costs and improving data accessibility by allowing user-defined preferences to be automatically applied when within range of selected providers.

Problems solved by technology

While this automatic switching to the pre-set or pre-agreed upon roaming partner provides a practical solution in some situations, such an automatic selection may pose some issues.

Also, the roaming partner to which the device is pre-registered might be a voice-only roaming partner, meaning that the user will be unable to establish a data connection.

This solution may not be helpful because the user may not know how to select an appropriate roaming partner, especially when the user is unable to discern which of the roaming partners offers data connectivity.

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